Sleeping With the Enemy

Sequel: Chapter Nineteen

Gemma

"Good morning." Anthony flew into the kitchen, brushing his lips across my cheek while simultaneously reaching for the coffeepot. Where ever he was heading, he was in a rush.

"Well, good morning to you, too." I smiled, shutting my laptop and moving it to the side. Anthony was already out of bed by the time I woke up, probably having gone to the gym to workout. Now, he was showered and dressed, and nearly a million miles away. "I missed you when I woke up this morning."

He gave me a sympathetic smile before shoving a granola bar into his mouth. "Sorry, babe. I wanted to get my workout in early. What are you up to today?"

"I'm about to go for a run, but I was thinking maybe when I get back we could go to the beach?" I was being hopeful. By the way he was dressed, he probably had a meeting or something.

The last few weeks were an interesting adjustment. With mine and Anthony's relationship out in the open, he was moved to another one of my dad's teams, and I go a new bodyguard. Scott. Scott was quiet, and by the book, and had about as much personality as a wet paper bag. He was nice enough, but it wasn't nearly as fun as having Anthony with me.

He frowned. "I'd love to Gem, but I have to meet with your dad. We have a full day of meetings down in Jersey. I won't be home until late tonight." I watched as he poured an obscene amount of creamer into his coffee.

"Remember when you told me that you taking this new job would help us spend even more time together?" I quipped, raising my eyebrow at him. That was when he was trying to pass the switch off as a good thing. I was excited for Anthony and the opportunities he was getting with my dad, but I missed our time together, and selfishly, I wanted him with me.

Anthony gave me a sympathetic smile, coming around the side of the island and wrapping his arms around me. His rough stubble grazed my skin as he nuzzled into the side of my neck. "Aw, is someone missing me?" He teased.

"Stop it." I fought my giggle off at first, but it was useless as he tickled my ribs. "Anthony!"

"It's okay, babe. I get it. I know how needy you can be." He smirked, toying with the hem of my running shorts. "I promise, when I get home tonight, I'll make it up to you."

"You better." I rolled my eyes, shoving him away. "Otherwise, I may have to find some attention elsewhere. I've got a thing for bodyguards, you know."

"Don't you dare even joke about that." Anthony chuckled and then glanced at the clock on the stove. "But seriously, I'm sorry. I know I've been working a lot lately, but it won't be like that forever. As soon as I can prove myself to your dad, I won't have to be on the line for everything."

I understood where he was coming from. Both of us were trying to prove ourselves to my father, and it was no easy task. My dad made running a Mafia look like a walk in the park, when, in reality, it was anything but. For me, anyway.

Anthony, on the other hand, seemed to shine brighter as more and more pressure was added. He was handling all kinds of jobs for my dad, and even bringing in his own clients and running his own lines. His ideas were innovative and new, and even if he and I came up with them together, he got the credit, because he was in the position to execute. It was a minor point of contention between us, although it wasn't Anthony's fault. It wasn't even my dad's.

As a woman, even if I was better at the job. I had to work about ten times as hard to get recognition in the industry, and it left me feeling resentful and wondering if I even wanted this at all.

"Shit, I'm late." Anthony gave me a rushed kiss before heading toward the door. "Have fun today! I'll call you later!"

Without even waiting for a response, he was out the door and jogging across the patio to my parents' house.